Hockey: NZ men clobber Canada

Hayden Shaw scored four goals to lift New Zealand to a 6-1 win over Canada in the fourth hockey test in Levin today.

Big in stature and in performance, the 22-year-old Cantabrian showed his range of skills and had more influence on the match than any other individual before being subbed shortly before the end.

It was the 16th consecutive test match where Shaw had scored a goal and equalled his personal record of four goals in one game, against South Africa last year.

Shaw, who had also played first class cricket for Canterbury, was widely acknowledged as being one of the best drag flick exponents in world hockey.

His prolific goal scoring through a stroke dubbed "the sling shot" was an advertisement for a good training ethic.

"I do practice the shot, about 60 times every day," he said.

His sling shot is one of the quickest in the world "although I've never had it timed. They do time them though."

New Zealand have now won four of the five tests and their attack was a nightmare for Canadian goalkeeper Jon MacKinnon today.

MacKinnon's effort left a lot to be desired and he was replaced by Michael Mahood in the second half after New Zealand had scored all six goals.

New Zealand fizzed from the first whistle and were quickly ahead 3-0 with Bevan Hari scoring first following a good inside pass from Shaw.

With all the momentum swinging NZ's way, Shaw scored with a high and hard hit into the corner and soon after added his first of two goals scored from the penalty.

Forward David Kosoof was the other New Zealand player to score as it was mostly one-way traffic when Shaw grabbed his fourth goal.

Canada did have their opportunities but could not convert them -- thanks to some brilliant saves from NZ goalie Paul Woodford.

Their only goal came from Wayne Fernandes late in the game.

New Zealand 6 (H Shaw 4, B Hari, D Kosoof goals)

Canada 1 (W Fernandes goal)

Halftime: 6-0

- HOROWHENUA-KAPITI CHRONICLE (LEVIN)